By The Finger of God
Gospel Project Winter • Sermon • Submitted • Presented
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Transcript
Introduction
Introduction
7 Well then, am I suggesting that the law of God is sinful? Of course not! In fact, it was the law that showed me my sin. I would never have known that coveting is wrong if the law had not said, “You must not covet.”
8 But sin used this command to arouse all kinds of covetous desires within me! If there were no law, sin would not have that power.
9 At one time I lived without understanding the law. But when I learned the command not to covet, for instance, the power of sin came to life,
10 and I died. So I discovered that the law’s commands, which were supposed to bring life, brought spiritual death instead.
11 Sin took advantage of those commands and deceived me; it used the commands to kill me.
12 But still, the law itself is holy, and its commands are holy and right and good.
On Sunday, we looked at God’s laws. The 10 commandments. These 10 laws, broken into 2 categories, was given by God, to the Israelites. These laws served 2 purposes.
The revelation of God’s standard.
The revelation that we are incapable of keeping them, and thus need a savior.
These laws would branch out into 2 different types.
Ceremonial Law
Moral Law
The ceremonial law dealt with the worship, and things we did to worship God or for God. For example: Circumcision, animal sacrifice, and many other things.
The moral law, dealt some with the worship of God, but also how we are with one another.
Examine the 10 Commandments (SLIDE)
Examine the 10 Commandments (SLIDE)
In the Old Testament, the Ceremonial laws and Moral laws were to be lived by very strictly. But these two laws, pointed to a greater need. A savior, to redeem us from the law.
Let’s take an examination at our passage. and dive into it.
7 Well then, am I suggesting that the law of God is sinful? Of course not! In fact, it was the law that showed me my sin. I would never have known that coveting is wrong if the law had not said, “You must not covet.”
Paul, an Apostle of Christ, paints why the law is important. How are we to know that something is a sin against God, if it is not told to us?
There are some sins, that feel great to us. Our sinful nature would never tell us that sex before marriage is wrong. Because it brings pleasure. Our sinful nature doesn’t mind when we retaliate against someone who hurt us by hurting them back, because it feels good to do.
God’s word is the revelation of God to us, and God shows us we are to not do those things.
8 But sin used this command to arouse all kinds of covetous desires within me! If there were no law, sin would not have that power.
So now Paul points out a flaw in all of us. Our sinful nature, when given a law to live by, wants to refute and resist. Especially, when that rule holds us back from what we want to do.
Paul also points out how sin controls us, and traps us. Paul points out that our fleshly sinful side, wants to do the opposite of what God wants.
We are natural enemies and haters of God.
9 At one time I lived without understanding the law. But when I learned the command not to covet, for instance, the power of sin came to life,
Before we trust Christ, and put our faith in Him, we are slaves to sin.
Then God, through His love and mercy convicts us of those sins, through the spirit, and brings us to salvation.
When we were living in sin, we have no issue cussing our someone who does evil against us. We have no problem having sex with whoever we want, regardless of gender or marital status.
When we lived in sin, our sins power didn’t have to work very hard to keep us sinning.
But now, when we place our faith and hope in Christ, something happens. It’s a very big word. Sanctification. Becoming more like Christ.
Becoming more like the one, who was sent to live the perfect life we never could.
The power of sin is more prominent now that we are believers. Satan works harder to keep us stumbling.
10 and I died. So I discovered that the law’s commands, which were supposed to bring life, brought spiritual death instead.
11 Sin took advantage of those commands and deceived me; it used the commands to kill me.
Paul now points out the problem with the law. When in sin, we are spiritually dead. The law, which is supposed to bring life, through living by the laws, and sacrificing animals as atonement for our sins, brought upon us spiritual death.
Why? Because we are completely incapable of keeping them. We never can. We will always fail. Why would God give us standards we cant live up to?
To point to the need for a savior. We can’t do it alone. And that is the point.
Many people will tell you, God will never give you more than you can handle. When you hear that, remind them that God’s standards is more than we can handle. And that is the point. We are unable to keep the laws.
The point is that we will rely on Him.
12 But still, the law itself is holy, and its commands are holy and right and good.
God’s law is holy, because He created it, it is Holy and Right and Good.
While these laws, in and of themselves are already impossible for us, Jesus took it a step further.
27 “You have heard the commandment that says, ‘You must not commit adultery.’
28 But I say, anyone who even looks at a woman with lust has already committed adultery with her in his heart.
Christ, God revealed, takes these commands a step further. If you look at a woman, or man with lust, you have already commited adultery in your heart.
You broke a commandment. Therefore, you have sinned and broken God’s law.
But not only are you guilty of only breaking that one, let’s look at another passage.
10 For the person who keeps all of the laws except one is as guilty as a person who has broken all of God’s laws.
When you break one, you have broken them all. We are guilty of breaking every crime against God.
10 As the Scriptures say, “No one is righteous— not even one.
No one has lived a life that matches God’s standard.
23 For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord.
Because of our sins against God, we deserve death. We have broken every law.
8 But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners.
Christ, The Messiah, lived the perfect life we could never live. And was sacrificed, like an animal, to God, on behalf of us.
9 If you openly declare that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.
The good news, is that we, even though we have slapped God in the face with our sin, can be saved.
